Block-signaling mechanism.



No. 792,875. PATENTED JUNE 20, 1905. 0. P. BASS.

BLOCK SIGNALING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION nun MAR. 7. 1904.

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QMMZQFM No. 792,875. PATENTED JUNE 20, 1905. C. P. BASS.

BLOCK SIGNALING MECHANISM.

APPLIGATION FILED MAR. 7, 1904 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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qvil'neasco PATENTED JUNE 20, 1905.

0. I. BASS.

BLOCK SIGNALING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7, 1904.

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UNITED STATES Patented June 20, 1905.

PATENT OEEIeE.

BLOCK-SIGNALING MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 792,875, dated June 20, 1905.

1 Application filed March 7, 1904. $erial No. 197,032.

To all whom it may cmwerm Be it known that 1, CHARLES P. BAss, residing at Portland, in the county of Multnomah and State of Oregon, have invented a new and Improved Block Signaling Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is in the nature of an improved electromechanical signaling mechanism for electric tramways or steam-railways; and it comprehends, essentially, a semaphore or signaling member, means for raising it to a danger position as acar passes into the block, said means including electromagnetically-operative devices set into an operative condition by the passing ear or cars for maintaining the signal at the danger position so long as any single car or train remains within the block and which is also adapted to operate reversely as the cars leave a block, whereby when the last car passes out of the block the signal will automatically return to its safety position.

In its more complete nature my invention embodies a signal-actuating means in which is included a step-by-step-shiftable locking mechanism for maintaining the semaphore or signal member at its elevated or danger position during the time a car is in the block and an eleetroineehanically-actuated means for intermittently moving the said lock mechanism and for actuating a detent for holding the said lock mechanism in its shifted position and in which the lock-actuating means is arranged to be operated in one direction to raise and maintain a signal at its danger position during the entrance in the block of all the ears for which the said mechanism may be especially adjusted to permit entering the block and to operate in the reverse direction as the series of cars within the block pass out of the block and whereby when the last car of the said series passes out of the zone of the block the signal is automatically returned to its normal or safety position. Again, my invention includes means whereby as the first car enters the block the semaphore-operating means will also serve to cut into the circuit suitable signaling lights and gongs.

Subordinately my invention embodies cer tain details of construction and peculiar combmatlon of parts, all of which will be hereinafter fully described and then specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which 'Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the complete arrangement of my invention. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the semaphore-operating mechanism which forms an essential part of my invention, the casing being broken away. Fig. 3 is a vertical crosssection taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. tis avertical longitudinal section taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the armature-lever and the base whereon it is mounted, the ratchetwhcel cooperating therewith being shown. Fig. 6 is a similar view of the lock or ratchet disk. Fig. 7 is a front elevation of one of the trolley-controlled circuit-closing mechanisms. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view showing the manner of mounting the circuit-closing mechanisms in their operative position. Fig. 9 is a detail view hereinafter referred to.

In the practical arrangement of my invention a signal mechanism is located at the ap preaching end of a block, and the said mechanism is actuated by the said electromechanical devices, including circuit-closers, which are controlled by the trolley of a passing car or train, whereby the motorman or engineer may know when approaching a block from either direction whether a car is within the block or section, and the said signal mechanisms are so arranged whereby when entering the block the signals will be maintained at the danger position until all of the cars within the block have passed out of the same.

The signal-actuating mechanism 1 is best shown-in Figs. 2, 3, and 4 as mounted within a casing and which may be located on one of the trolley-poles or at any other point within proper vision of the motorman and to the easing, of which is fixedly secured a skeleton or body-frame 2. This bed-frame 2 has a pair of radial horizontal extensions 2 2". At the outer extremities thereof are formed lugs 2 2, to which the armature-levers 3 and 5 are fulcrunied. The said armature-levers 3 and 5 each have an armature 3 5 at their free ends cooperating with the electromagnets M, hereinafter again referred to. The levers 3 and 5 also have a downwardly-projecting portion 3' 5 which cooperates with the stops 2 2 on the bed-frame 2.

4: designates a spindle carried by the bedframe 2 at a point midway and in alinement with the lugs 2 2, and upon this spindle 4 is mounted for rotary movement a ratchet-disk 6, having two series of ratchet-teeth 6 6" at diametrically opposite points, the series 6 being formed to operate in the reverse direction to the series 6. To each of the levers 3 and 5 1 pivot, as at 3 5 a downwardly-projecting pawl 3 held to engage the ratchet 6 at predetermined time by the springs 3 5 on the levers 3 and 5, and the said pawls 3 5 are normally held out of engagement with the ratchet-teeth by the lugs 6 6 on the bed-plate 2, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. Secured to rotate with the ratchet 6 by pawls 6 or otherwise and mounted upon the spindle lie at second and larger disk 7, which 1 shall term the locking-disk. This disk has a double set of ratchet-teeth 7 a 7 upon its periphery, one set of which, 7, faces one way, while the other set, 7 faces in the other direction. At a diametrically opposite point the periphery of the locking-rim is formed with a plurality of suitably-spaced indentations 7, equal in number to the number of ratchet-teeth 7 or 7 8 8 designate a pair of pawls secured to a sleeve 8, pivotally mounted on lugs 2 2 on the bed-frame 2, and which are adapted under predetermined conditions to engage with the ratchet-teeth 7 7 on the lockingdisk 7. These pawls 8 8 are held to engage the disk 7 by coil-springs 8, as shown. To the sleeves 8 I secure pins 8 8, which are adapted to be engaged by the studs 3 5 on the arms 3 5 pendent from the lovers 3 and 5, firmly secured thereto. The studs 3 5 and their respective arms 3 5 are so arranged that when the levers 3 and 5 are in their normal or active position the said studs 3 5 will engage the pins 8 8 and hold the pawls 8 8" outof engagement with the locking-disk 7 and against the tension of the coil -spring 8. Mounted in bearings on the bed-frame 2 is a shaft 20, having a linger 20", carrying a pin 20" at its outer end for normally entering one of the indentations 7" to lock the disk 7 from movement when the pawls are inoperative.

Each lever 3 and 5 has a pusher 26 pivotally mounted thereon, which engages with the linger 20" as the armatures 3 5 are drawn up to disengage the pin 20 from the disk 7, and the pushers 25 26 are adjusted by the setscrew 25 26, as shown in detail in Fig. 5.

The semaphore S is pivotally mounted upon a stud s on the bed-frame 2, and it has a linger S for cooperating with the cut-away portion of the semaphoreoperating Wheel 9, mounted on the spindle L and secured to rotate in unison with the disks 7 and 6 by the pawls 6, before referred to. The said wheel 9 has an insulated strip 90 on its periphery, with which the switch or'contact-spring O engages, for a purpose presently to be explained.

M l each designate a pair of electromagnets mounted on the casing and cooperating with the armatures 3 5, respectively, and the magnets M M are each connected to a circuit-closer 50, one at the beginning of the block and the other at the end of the block. (See Fig. l.)

17 16 designate terminals connected with the trolley and return wire, respectively.

L L are signal-lamps connected to the terminal 17 and to the contact-spring C, while a gong Gr also has one terminal, g, connected with the terminal 17, havinga knife-switch G, and its other terminal, 6, connected to the contact 0.

The return-wire terminal 16 is connected with the spindle 4 by a contact 16', as shown.

To limit the movement of the semaphore S, I provide steps 23 24, as shown.

Each set of magnets M M has a separate circuit-closing device 50, that cooperates in harmony therewith, and the said circuit-closing devices are arranged substantially as shown in Fig. 1, by reference to which and to Figs. 7 and 8 it will be seen that the circuit-closers each includes a casing or box 50, having pendent clamps 51 for conveniently supporting the box and the trolley-wire TV, the bottom of the box being opened to accommodate a swinging closer-arm 52, fulcrumed on the stud-bolt 54, and which carries a contact and plate 58 at one edge adapted to cooperate with the forked contact-plates 59, connected to the terminals 60 60 of an electric circuit in line with the trolley-wire \V and with the electromagnets M M" in the manner readily understood by reference to Fig. 1. The boxes 50 may have additional supportin the nature of a stout cable 42, connccted to the top of the box and the base, as

shown.

65 designates a trip-stud fixedly held within the box 50 and in the plane of movement of the curved head 56 of the latch 56 when segment 57 is moved over to the circuit-closing position, (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7,) whereby to disengage the segment 57 from the head 53 to permit the said segment to fly back to its normal position to support the circuit-closing contacts after the proper magnet M M has been energized.

7O designates a stop for limiting the rearward swing of the segment 57.

57 designates a projection on the segment 57, to which is secured the piston-rod P of a dash-pot pump P, having an aperture 1) to permit the escape of air.

As the head is moved over to close the circuit the pump P holds the contacts together for about half a second to secure proper passage of the current through the magnets M M, after which as the piston again passes the aperture 3) upon its return stroke the segment 57 will be quickly returned to its initial or switch-opening position by the spring as, as shown.

Assuming the trolley T to represent a car entering the block in the direction of the arrow 6, (see Fig. 1,) the said trolley would engage the arm 52 of the circuit-closer C in Fig. 1, thereby causing the magnet M to draw up its respective lever 3, which operation first causes the pusher 25 on the lever 3 to disengage the locking-finger from the peripheral indentation on the disk 7 and at the same time release the pawl 8, which then comes into contact with the ratchet portion of the periphery of the disk 7. As the lever 3 is drawn up the pawl G'Yearried thereby will engage the ratchet-teeth 6 of the ratchet wheel 6 and move it around a distance equal to one ratchet-tooth, the pawl 8 serving to limit the rotation of the wheels 7. This retation of the wheels 7 and 9 causes the semaphore-blzule to be raised to the danger position, (shown in dotted linesin Fig. 2,)to which position it is held as long as the solid faces of the perimeter of the disk are in engagement with or rather under the linger of the semaphore. As the trolley leaves the circuit-closer the circuit will be quickly and automatically opened, thereby allowing the lever 3 to return to its normal position. Each succeeding car in entering the block will act on the circuitcloser C, and therefore on the magnet M of the signal devices A in the manner just described. As the cars begin to pass out of the block the trolley T engages the circuit-closing devices at the end of the block and each operate in harmony with the magnet M through the circuit-closer C, (see Fig. 1,) and thereby actuates the lever 5, which, operating reversely to the lever 3, will return the parts step by step, it being understood the semaphore-blade does not fall until the last car has left the block, at which time the cut-away portion of the semaphore-operating disk will again receive the finger of the semaphoreblade and let it gravitate to its normal or safety position.

In Fig. 1 I have illustrated a duplex set of signal devices and a circuit-closing means therefor to provide for setting the signals when approaching from either direction.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is thought the complete operation and advantages of my invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which it appertains, and while the arrangement of parts described and shown is the approved manner, yet I desire it understood that the said parts can be varied or revised Without departing from the spirit of my invention as defined within the appended claims.

In Fig. 9 1 have shown how the rotatable &

semaphore-actuating member 9 may be used to indicate the number of cars in each block by means of the numbers Y thereon being brought into alinement with the aperture in the box or casing containing the signal mechanism.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A signal mechanism of the character stated, comprising a semaphore automatically movable to its safety-po ition, and electromechanically-actuated means for elevating said semaphore, said means including a rotatable member having step-by-step movement, a locking device for holding it to each of its intermittent positions and an electromagnetic controlling device adapted when energized to first release the locking device and then impart movement to the rotatable member, and a circuit-closer for energizing the electromagnet of the electromagnetic controlling devices and arranged to be actuated by the passing car, for the purposes specified.

2. A signal mechanism of the character stated, comprising a semaphore automatically actuated to its safety position, a means for elevating the signal and maintaining it at a danger position, said means comprising an electromechanically-operated rotatable mem- 9 her, coi'iperatively joined with the signal and adapted under predetermined conditions to elevate the signal, independent sets of electromagnets, independent sets of rotator-actuating devices controlled by each set of electromagnets, said independently-actuating devices being arranged to automatically engage the ratchet member and impart reverse rotary motion thereto, said rotatable member being adapted under a portion of its rotary motion to raise and support the semaphore and under the remainder of its rotary motion to become disengaged from said semaphore to permit the signal to automatically return to its safety position and a trolley-actuated means for controlling the circuitcloser devices in the magnetic circuits, for the purposes specified.

3. A signal mechanism of the character stated, comprising a semaphore automatically movable to its safety position, means for elevating said semaphore, said means including a rotatable member having stepby-step movement, a signal light and bell, means cooperating with the rotatable member for bringing said signal light and bell into electrical circuit with the trolley-Wire, for the-purposes specified.

4:. A signal mechanism of the character stated, comprising an electromechanical signal-operating means, a locking-disk having a series of like notches, a lock device adapted to automatically engage with said notches, a second disk joined with said locking-disk, a pivoted semaphore controlled by said second disk and adapted under a partial rotary movement of said second disk to be swung to a danger position thereby and under another movement of said second disk to be automatically disengaged therefrom and gravitate to a safety position, a pair of independently-operating electromagnets, means connected with said electromagnets for releasing the lock devices and imparting a rotary step-by-step movement to the said locking and second disks for the purposes specified.

5. A signal mechanism of the character stated com prising an electromechanical signaloperating means, a locking-disk having a series of lock-notches, a locking device adapted to antomaticall y engage with said notches, a second disk joined with said locking-disk, a pivoted member controlled by said second disk and adapted under a vertical rotary movement of said second disk to be swung to a danger position thereby and under another movement of said second disk to be automatically disengaged therefrom and gravitate to a safety position, a pair of independent]y-operatingelectromagnets, means connected with said electromagnets for releasing the locking devices and imparting a rotary step-by-step movement to the said locking and second disks and an ind ependen tly-operating means for returning said locking and second disks to their normal position, for the purposes specified.

6. In an electrically-controlled signal-actuating system of the character stated, a gravity-dropped signal-blade, a rotator having a member for engaging the signal-blade and swinging it to its elevated position and maintaining it under such position for a predetermined time, an electromechanical means for alternately actuating the rotator in reverse directions, said means including a pair of independent electric circuits, circuit-closing devices for each circuit controlled by the passing trolley, lock devices for holding the rotator to its various positions and a trip for releasing the locking devices and actuated by said independent electric circuits when operative, as set forth.

7 In a signal mechanism of the character stated, a gravity-return signal member, a retator, means for imparting intermittent motion to the rotator in one direction, means for imparting intermittent motion to the rotator in a reverse direction, said rotator including a member adapted to engage the signal to bring it to a danger position and hold it at said position for a predetermined time, said rotator-actuating means including independent sets of electromagnets, ratchet-and-pawl devices controlled thereby for imparting motion to the rotator, an automatically-actuating lock for holding the rotator in its different positions and devices under control of the electromagnets for releasing the said lock devices, at predetermined intervals.

8. A signal mechanism of the character demeans, a closer device in said second circuit 7 under control of the passing trolley, said second circuit being arranged when energized to return the signal-actuating means to its normal position to permit the semaphore dropping to its safety position, for the purposes specified.

9. In a signal mechanism of the character described, the combination with a signal, a signal-actuating means, said means including electromagnets and devices controlled by magnets when energized to set the signal, an electric circuit joining the magnet with the feeder or trolley wire; of a circuit-closing device, said closing device including a swinging contact-maker, an arm projecting in the path of the trolley, a means for automatically pulling back said contact-maker to break the circuit and a trip device for disengaging the contactmaker from the actuating-arm, immediately after the circuit is closed.

10. In a signal mechanism of the character described, a circuit-closing mechanism comprising a casing adapted to be sustained by and over the trolley-wire, electric terminals including contact members, a pivotally-mounted contact-maker automatically movable to its normal or cut-out position, a swinging arm hung in the casing and adapted to be engaged by the passing trolley, a latch for connecting said arm and the pivoted contactmaker, a trip device for releasing the latch after the current is closed whereby to permit the pivoted contact-maker to return to its normal position as set forth.

11. A signal mechanism comprising a semaphore movable to its safety position, an electromechanically-actuated means for elevating the semaphore and indicating the number of cars in the block, said means including a rotatable member, having a step-by-step movement, a locking device to hold said rotatable member to each of its step-by-step positions and electromagnetic controlling devices to release the locking devices and impart movement to the rotatable member, and means for energizing said electromagnetic devices at predetermined times, for the purposes specilied.

12. A signal mechanism of the character stated, comprising an electromechanical signal-operating means, a rotatable member including a locking-disk and a semaphore-controlling disk, a lock device for engaging with said locking-disk, a pivoted semaphore controlled by said semaphore-controlling disk and adapted under a partial rotary movement of said disk to be swung to adanger position thereby and under another movement of said disk to be disengaged therefrom and gravitate to a safety position, and independently-operating electromagnets for releasing the locking devices and imparting rotary movement to said rotatable member substantially as shown and described.

13. A signal mechanism of the character stated, comprising an electromechanical signal-operating means, a rotatable member, a lock device adapted to'engage therewith, a pivoted semaphore controlled by said rotatable member and adapted under a partial rotary movement thereof to be swung to a danger position -and under another movement thereof to be disengaged therefrom and gravitate to a safety position, a pair of independently-operated electromagnets, means connected with said electromagnets for releasing the locking devices and imparting rotary movement to the rotatable member for the purposes specified. I

14:. A signal mechanism of the character stated, comprising an electromechanical signal-operating means, a rotatable member, a lock device adapted to engage therewith, a pivoted semaphore controlled by said rotatable member and adapted under a partial rotary movement thereof to be swung to a danger position and under another movement thereof to be disengaged therefrom and gravitate to a safety position, a pair of independently-operated eleotromagnets, means connected with said eleetromagnets for releasing the locking device and imparting rotary movement to the rotary member, and an independently-operating means for returning said rotatable member to its normal position.

I CHARLES P. BASS.

\Vitnesses T. P. MoOoNNnLL, M. O. HARRINGTON. 

